Filter replacement construction for vacuum cleaners



Dec. 5, 1950 E. P. sENNE FILTER REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION FCR VACUUM CLEANERS li5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb.v 18. 1948 Dec. 5, 1950 E. P. sENNE FILTER REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 5 Shee'ucs-Sheevt 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 Z f w i o oooooo ooooooo oooooooo ooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooooo o, oooooooooooo ooooooooooooo 3 ooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo W ooooooooooooo l 0 ooooooooooooo 2%. 4 ooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooooooo /0 37 /6 44f/0/7MIM 5 .w ad Q 4 3 Dec. 5, 195o 5 E P SENN 2,533,057

FILTER REPILACMENT CONSTRUCTION FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Fem-18. 1948 v s sheets-sheet 5 JNVEN'TOR.l 1:12. p6/4P .P 55m/f Patented Dec. 5, 1,950

UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE FILTER REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Edgar P. Senne, Rockville Centre, N. Y. i

Application February 18, 1948, Serial No. 9,047

This invention relates to improvements in air filter machines, for example, vacuum cleaners either of the relatively xed position type or of the type adapted to be freely and easily propelled over a floor in any desired random direction by small manual forces applied by a domestic user, such as those of the type disclosed and claimed in my pending applications Serial No. 749,772 filedrMay 22, 1947 and Serial No. 702,389 filed October 10, 1946. It has for its principal object the provision of anA improved filter containing unit permitting the convenient and ready insertion or removal of a preferably dispensable filter, such as a dirt or dust collecting bag of paper, cloth or like materialall with the View to enhancing the ease, speed and convenience with which a domestic user may perform the operation of replacing the filter.

'The features of the invention on which patent protection is sought are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, together with further objects and` advantages thereof may best beunderstood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: i

Fig; 1 is a plan view of what may be termed the front face of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-section of the ma chine taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 3 is similarly a longitudinal cross-section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the internal elements within the chassis thereof with the filter holding means in closed position;

Fig. 4 represents in cross-section a partial view ofthe filter compartment showing the filter insertion and removal'means in their open position;

Fig. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the structure of the chassis taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 illustrates a view of the lter clamping means as seen from ther line -6--6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '7 illustrates, in perspective, a view of one rtype of filter bag unit which may be used in the machine.

Although the invention may be embodied in any type of machine, whether mobile or relatively stationary and whether having relatively `able chassis and mobile support meanstherefon 2 Claims. (Cl. 18S-43) `ment with the mouth ofthe filter-bag.

The general structure of the machine may best be visualized from the Figures 1 through 3. As therein illustrated, it may comprise generally a chassis I of roughly cylindrical outline and supported by two large wheels 2 and 3 mounted on the ends of a transverse shaft or axle 5 and for free rotation about the axis thereof. These wheels are preferably domed outwardly on either side -of the chassis and the annular shell of the chassis, between the wheels, is preferably correspondingly rounded so that, with the exceptions noted below, Vthe entire machine represents the general appearance of a sphere. The configuration thus presented is convenient for preventing interference with obstructions such as furniture and rugs which might be encountered during motion of the machine over a floor and in addition presents a somewhat pleasing appearance. The wheels 2 and 3 have annular rim portions 6 projecting outwardly from the general ycontour and terminating in the circular'treads 7.

The chassis I is divided by a transverse partition or wall 8 into a lter compartment 9 above the axle 5 and an air propulsion compartment able air propulsion means illustrated generally by the motor-fan unit I2. In order to permit ready ingress of air to be filtered into -the filter compartment, a suitable -inlet inthe form of the ltubular intake manifold I3 may be provided, the

manifold having an inlet orifice I4 .in theex- ,ternal shell of the filter compartment and an outlet orice I5 in juxtaposition to or align- Maniifold I3 is adapted to receive a portable hose A.(not shown)v of the type common in vacuum cleaner practice. Similarly, in order to provide foregressof air from the air propulsion compartment after its passage through the lter bag and through the perforated section I6 of the partition 3, there may be provided a suitable outlet -oriice I'I in the external wall of the air propulsion compartment. lPreferably the outlet orifice-I1 `is partially closed by the hinged gates I8 and I9 of open mesh construction in order that they may impede the passage of sizable destructive objects and yet at the same time permit free ow of the vfiltered air.

It will be understood that the air propulsion unit I2 may be energized by any suitable means, such as a domestic power supply source, although for convenience of illustration vand in View of the fact that such means are readily known to those skilled in the art, the circuit connections therefor are omitted. A suitable switch for closing such a circuit may be provided and I have shown that as taking the form of the off-on switch 2!) which may be turned off or on by successive depressions of an actuating plunger 2 The plunger 2| may be actuated in this manner by clockwise rotation of the chassis (as seen from Fig. 3) until the plunger 2| is brought into contact with the floor or other relatively stationary surface. These actuations may be accomplished by simple manual manipulation of the chassis by the user. Arrangements of this character whereby the motor may be alternately energized and de-energized by successive actuations of a switch in response to relative movement between parts of the vacuum cleaner, or between the cleaner and floor, effected by successive manipulations of a portable hose affixed to the cleaner `are disclosed and claimed bron dly in my co-pending application. Ser. No. 67,498, filed December 27, 1948 and entitled Vacuum Cleaner On-and- Off Switching Devices.

The structure thus far described is -substantially that disclosed and claimed in my aforesaid applications. The improvements of the present invention will now be outlined in greater detail.

As best indicated by Fig. 2, the chassis is formed by means of two generally circular side plates 22 and 23 held in iixed position by a generally cylindrical structure comprising the curved outer portion 24 and. the radially extending side walls 25 and 26 which are rigidly aixed to the side plates 22 and 23 except for those portions forming the side walls of the hinged cover or door hereinafter "f to be discussed. Preferablv the side walls of plates 22 and 23 are provided with the bulbous portions 21 and 28 conforming to the general c ontour of the counter-part portions of wheels 2 and 3. side plates 22 and 23 extend almost, but not quite, to the rims 'I and preferably are aligned with the inner edges thereof.

For the purpose of removal of the filter I I from the llter compartment 9 and also for providing a convenient locking means for securing the filter in position, there may be provided a suitable hinged door mechanism formed in a peripheral sector of the outer portion 24. As indicated best by the Figures 3 and 4 this door 29 may include inwardly extending radial side walls 36 and 3| aligned with the side walls 25 and 2B but made movable with respect thereto and with respect to the side plates 22 and 23 in order that the door may be opened. The door 29 is provided with a transversely extending hinge 32 in the outer wall of the compartment 9 and also with a suitable latching means 33 for locking it in its closed position. The locking means 33 is shown as compri-sing, for example. a manually rotatable bolt 34 affixed to an extension 35 of the door structure and provided with a locking key 3B for keying into a receiving groove 31 of a socket 38. The extension 35 may be provided b v a bar strio 39 extending along the periphery of the door 29 and bridging a depression 43 therein in order that it may form a convenient handle for lifting and transporting the machine. On the inward edges of each of the inwardly extending wall portions 30 and 3I there may be provided flange or cam.

The circumferential portions of the surfaces 4I which engage the vise mechanism presently to be discussed for the purpose 0f rigidly securing the same.

For the purpose of rigidly securing the filter II within the compartment 9, a suitable vise mechanism may be provided and I have shown a preferred type as comprising the transversely extending fixed wall 42 subtending a sector of the compartment 9, and a hinged clamping member 43 formed of a base 43a and upwardly extending side arms 43h and 43e (Fig. 6). The wall 42 may be affixed at its opposite ends to the partition 8 land the outer wall portion 24. The hinged clamping member 43 may be hinged to the partition B by hinges 44 and arranged so that it may be limited in itsrotary movement to motion between the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. The wall 42 is provided with an orilice aligned with the oriiice I5 ofthe inlet manifold I3 and an inlet orifice 45 in a collar 46 of the iilter bag -construction (Fig. '7). Preferably, resilient gaskets 4l and 48 (Fig. 6) of suitable material such as sponge rubber are provided about the orifice on wall 42 and about the edges engaging collar 46. These aid in the firm engagement of the latter by the vise mechanism.

As illustrated in Fig. '7 the Alilter bag construction may for purposes of cooperation with the vise mechanism be formed of a collar 4E to which the cloth bag filter I I is affixed and which holds open the neck or mouth of the bag. The collar 4S is adapted to be inserted between the cooperating members of the vise mechanism, i. e. between member 43 and wall 42. In that position the orifice 45 is aligned with the corresponding orifices in the vise mechanism and with the intake manifold while the gaskets tend to seal the passage to escape of air from its intended route into filter II.

It will be apparent that in the normal operation of the device the filter bag I I together with its retaining collar 45 may be quickly and conveniently removed and replaced by opening of the door 29. At the same time, when the machine is in normal operation and the door 29 closed, the iiange surfaces 4I will firmly engage the clamping member 43 and force it into firm engagement with both the fixed wall 42 and the collar 46 thereby insuring that the iilter bag will be held rmly in position during normal operation. In the later position, collar 46 will be between wall 42 and member 43, parallel to the former, with the cloth bag of filter II eX- tending into the main body of compartment 3. It will also be observed that the arrangement has the particular advantage that the filter bag may be replaced without dismantling any parts of the machine proper, nor even disconnecting the hose from the intake manifold. v

It will be understood that the inventionV is not limited to any particular embodiment or any particular arrangement of the parts as hereinbefore outlined and that numerous modiications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

l. A vacuum cleaner comprising a chassis and a mechanism adapted for the insertion and removal of a filter bag within and from said chassis comprising a door within the outer Wall of said chassis adapted to be rotated outwardly from the body of said chassis, a vise mechanism for holding said lter bag within said chassis comprising a iirst member iixed with respect to said chassis and a `Second member hinged for rotation with respect to said first member, said members being adapted to receive therebetween a holding collar of a filter bag, and means afxed to said door and engaging said second member when said door is in its closed position for firmly forcing said second member against said first member whereby said collar may be secured therebetween.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising a chassis having an air intake manifold including means defining an air inlet and an air outlet, means defining a lter bag compartment adjacent said outlet and adapted to receive filterable air therefrom, a mechanism adapted for the insertion and removal of a filter bag having an inlet orice within and from said compartment comprising a door within the outer wall thereof adapted to be rotated outwardly from the body of said compartment, a vise mechanism for holding said filter bag within said compartment comprising a first member fixed with respect to said chassis,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,172,180 Schellens Sept. 5, 1939 20 2,227,302 Edstrom Dec. 31, 1940 2,447,500 French Aug. 24, 1948 

